Stuck on the Galaxy

I've been wanting to get creative, pulling out my sponges and nail polishes and glittery top coats to design some kind of 'galaxy-inspired' look for my nails since Seonaid posted her take on them, but it all just seemed like too much effort. The perfect solution then came in the form of these ncLA nail wraps that I won from Ash's giveaway (thank you Ash!). I loved how the design Stephanie's Galaxy looked on her nails so I picked the same for myself. I'd never tried nail wraps before, so I was curious to see how I'd get along with them.

The set comes with 26 nail wraps of varying sizes and a small nail file which you use to trim any excess sticker once it's placed over the nail. The print on each sticker is unique, with one side being more predominately green and blue, and the other more pink and purple (both have orange, black and are punctuated with flares and stars). The included instructions make the process of applying the nail wraps seem simple and fuss-free, which it largely was. The only challenge was trying to pick which size sticker to use over which nail. It was a little hard to find the exact match (I did get one of the thumbs completely wrong and had to peel it off and start all over again), but after a while you get the hang of it. Generally, my experience is to go for the one you think might be slightly too big, as the sticker has to wrap over the curve of your nail.

The only nail I had issues with was the thumb, because the edge of these stickers are quite rounded and my thumb is more square-shaped at the base. There was a bit of a gap around the sides and for some reason, the sticker bunched up at the top, leaving small but obvious creases. My only other quibble is that after you've filed down the sticker, the top edge of your nail is left with a thin white line.

All in all, I found my first experience with nail wraps surprisingly straightforward to apply and a whole lot of fun. If there was one significant plus, it was no stinky, toxic fumes from applying nail polish normally (well, except for the clear base and top coat). The complexity and detail in the design isn't something I would've been able to recreate with nail polish only anyway (unless I had a hefty chunk of time to spare), so these nail wraps are a convenient, easy way to sport the space theme with minimal effort. It really is like wearing a little bit of alternative art on your nails. Extra cool but still neatly manicured.

Dimmed Expectations

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders have been one of the most hyped beauty products to come out in recent memory. I was more or less uninterested when I first heard about them, dismissing them as gimmicky, completely unnecessary and collectors' bait (gotta have 'em all, right?). I'd never been all that into finishing powders — frequently skipping that step in my daily routine, but months and months of watching and reading reviews on these powders significantly weakened my resolve. Finally, I just couldn't take it. I was going to buy one of these stupid powders and be done with it. I emptied my wallet of a whopping $62 for one at Mecca Cosmetica and crossed my fingers it would be worth the splurge.

l-r: Chanel N°20, Hourglass Dim Light, Bourjois 52

The major decision I had to make was which shade to pick. It came down to Diffused Light or Dim Light. I was afraid that Diffused Light might be too sheer, light and yellow for me, so I opted for Dim Light. It seemed to be the shade I'd read the most reviews on and sufficiently dissimilar to my other recent powder purchase, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour in N°20. The Chanel is more translucent, paler, less peachy/tan and more cream in colour. Bourjois Healthy Balance Unifying Powder in 52 Vanille is more opaque, thicker and more powdery in texture, significantly lighter, more of an off-white/pale yellow. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Power in Dim Light is clearly the darkest, peach/pink-leaning with a slight satin finish.

I've had Dim Light for a month and I've been trying to figure it out. In all honesty, I'm not really loving it. It darkens the colour of the skin which I guess would be desirable if your foundation was a bit too light, but otherwise isn't ideal. The effect is a slightly tan, peachy overlay with a very subtle whitish sheen. Although touted as "a neutral soft beige powder that blurs imperfections and highlights a radiant complexion with the perfect balance of warm and cool tones", it's simply not as transformative or skin-perfecting as I'd hoped. At least on me, I don't get any noticeable glowiness or all that much of a smoothing, soft-focus result. My skin looks drier and less natural instead of dewier and healthier after brushing it all over. Because of the darker tint and the lack of obvious light-reflecting properties, I wouldn't describe it as illuminating. Rather, it provides a thin layer of extra coverage, at the same time making the skin warmer, more pink-toned and brown. In that way, I guess it does mimic the effect of being in dim (read: not brightening) light, so perhaps I just didn't pick the right shade for what I was after. At the same time, something like Luminous Light just seems like a pink shimmerbomb not suitable for the whole face.

To its credit, the texture of the powder is very fine, smooth and soft (almost to a fault, as it can get crumbly inside the compact), and it seems to blend into the skin rather than sit on top. I do find that it assists with oil control though it's not specifically designed for that purpose, as my T-zone is less shiny a couple of hours after I've applied my foundation compared with no powder or if I use other powders. After inspecting the back of the box, there's a whole bunch of fancy-sounding, scientific ingredients I've never heard of before. The Ambient Lighting Powders also claim to be paraben, talc, fragrance, nanoparticle (?) and gluten (??) free.

I've been experimenting with the amount and what brush to use with it, wondering if the heaviness and method of application make all the difference. I've used both the Too Faced Powder Pouf and my newly purchased Ecotools Retractable Kabuki Brush, but I'm thinking they might be placing too much product on my face. This video suggests using something similar to the accompanying Hourglass Ambient Powder Brush, i.e. a powder brush with a flatter shape as opposed to round. The powders are not designed to be used in a buffing motion, but rather lightly dusted all over. I've tried it over a bare face and basically couldn't see any difference. It seems to only work as a setting powder over liquid foundation.

I've been preferring my Chanel Les Beiges over the Hourglass, which I'm put off using most days because it makes my skin look undesirably more tan and pink/orange in tint. I'm more drawn to the sheerness of the Chanel, how much paler it is and softly illuminating, especially when used with a rounder powder brush. The only merits of the Hourglass are above average oil control, improved foundation wear time, and additional light coverage to your existing base, in effect helping to further blur imperfections and even out the skin tone. But other than that, I don't see what the fuss is about. Maybe I should've picked Diffused Light instead.

No Longer Evading Chanel

A Chanel lipstick is certainly up there in terms of makeup wants, but still something I can live without. One of these babies in Australia is $50, and at that price I'd rather buy a YSL Rouge Volupté Shine. It was only when I found myself at Changi Airport on the way to Milan that I noticed the Chanel lipsticks were much cheaper than Australian retail ... and suddenly the prospect of owning one didn't seem so distant. I still wanted to get my hands on a YSL lipstick, but the sheer enormity of the shade selection was daunting, so I started swatching Chanel instead. I wasn't at all familiar with any standout/popular shades, except Rouge Coco Shine in Boy, and perhaps the Rouge Coco lipsticks in Mademoiselle and Rouge Noir. The harsh artificial lighting in the duty-free store also made it exceptionally difficult to gauge colour accuracy, not aided by the fact my lips were already a deep raspberry stain from having tried on and taken off about 15 lipsticks beforehand.

After much deliberation (with a little help from this post), I settled for Évasion (48). It came down to that or Chance. Now, my battle with cool-toned light pinks is well-documented, so I wasn't going to fall into that trap again. I tried Boy but I wasn't blown away ... it looked kind of dull and unremarkable on my lips — a somewhat frosty, slightly mauve, brownish rose. That could just be because my lips weren't a blank canvas to start with, so the colour was distorted. In any event, Évasion seemed to be the safest, least problematic pick.

Évasion is a sheer, peachy nude that leans relatively pink on my lips. It's quite light but not so much that it washes out the complexion, though any paler and I'd find it difficult to pull off as an everyday lipstick. I find the formula of the Rouge Coco Shines to be similar to the MAC Lustre finish, particularly Patisserie. It's a little bit thin and slippery, but feels comfortable and moisturising on the lips, very lightweight and softly glossy. On initial application, there's a slight tendency to sink into lip lines, but nothing that lightly pressing the lips together and/or dabbing over the lipstick with your finger can't fix. The packaging reminds me of a more luxurious, elegant Maybelline Color Sensational Color Whisper lipstick. Same kind of streamlined, slimmer exterior with a long, cylindrical tube. Of course, the black and gold and interlocking 'C's don't hurt.

l-r: Face of Australia Lychee Crush, Revlon Charm, Revlon Creamsicle, Revlon Soft Nude, Chanel Évasion, MAC Patisserie

Face of Australia Lip Quench Moisturising Lipstick in Lychee Crush is the closest in colour, but more opaque, not as soft and glossy. I'm also not a fan of the greasy, overly creamy formula and extremely unpleasant smell. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Charm is a lighter pastel peach. Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Creamsicle looks identical to Charm, though Charm does tend to stain coral while Creamsicle is pale through and through. Revlon ColorBurst lipstick in Soft Nude is darker, not as sheer, more peachy brown. MAC Patisserie is darker, more caramel and rosy on the lips in comparison, though still fairly nude and pink.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Évasion is probably the most I've ever spent on a single lip product, but like everything cosmetics-wise from the brand, I found the packaging irresistible (and the product inside not half bad). There's something of a totally superficial thrill in being able to throw a Chanel lipstick in the evening handbag, or have it on prominent display in a lipstick stand on your vanity. The colour isn't absolutely ideal given it's on the light side and leans a little nude, but it's easy to wear, suitable for both day and night, and effortlessly pretty in an understated way.

October Favourites

October saw a resurgence in my interest in fragrance, both perfume and scented candles. Well, the scented candles were a new thing altogether, but I was obsessed. I'm pretty sure I smelled every single candle at David Jones one Sunday while entertaining the idea of buying one, but ultimately walked home empty-handed (Glasshouse Oahu and Night Before Christmas were awfully tempting though). I also picked out the best of the skin care and nail polish I hauled in Europe, and a couple of cream eyeshadows on heavy rotation.

diptyque Roses candle
I thoroughly enjoyed burning this candle this month. It's become something of a bedside lamp substitute. The scent isn't that overpowering but it does fill the room for a few hours after it's blown out. I don't think the roses fragrance is anything amazing, it's a little bit generic in a pleasant but inoffensive way. It's not all that sweet, boozy or reminiscent of potpourri, it's gentler, cleaner and a bit more modern. I look forward to burning and finishing it only because I can't wait to be a sheep and use the empty jar as a brush holder.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser
I'd wanted to try this cleanser for the longest time and finally managed to get hold of one from John Lewis when I was in London. This has cocoa butter, rosemary, chamomile and hops extract, panthenol, and eucalyptus oil. My skin was in a gross state around in the middle of my European holiday and using this, along with Clarins moisturisers and NUXE Huile Prodigieuse was a godsend. I'd take a good 15 minutes to do the whole routine with the included muslin cloth, but back home I ditch the cloth and use one pump all over my face before washing it all off in the shower. I much prefer this to Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm. For one, you can use it around the eyes to remove mascara and eyeliner and it won't feel like oil is clouding your vision. The texture is closer to a moisturising, thick cream cleanser that just dissolves into the skin, rather than an oily balm that can't be completely washed off. I love the refreshing cool from the eucalyptus, the minty, soothing herbal scent, and how it leaves the skin feeling clean, soft and supple.

Caudalie Grape Water
I was surprised at how much I liked this, since I'm loyal to my Avene Thermal Spring Water (though my 300ml bottle inexplicably decided to stop spraying with about a third left). This is the first aerosol face mist I've encountered that isn't just water (Avene, La Roche-Posay Serozinc). This Caudalie one consists of grape water and grape juice, so it smells very sweet (a little bit like overripe fruit) and leaves a slight residue on the skin. It's more moisturising than plain water in a can, especially when it dries on the skin. I find it an effective, inexpensive hydrating toner that you can spray over the face before or after your moisturiser. I would definitely be stocking up if it were available here, but unfortunately it's not and I can't buy it online either because of shipping restrictions with the aerosol can. Guess I'll just have to savour it while it lasts.

Nails Inc. Porchester Square
I have Anna from ViviannaDoesMakeup to thank for this one. I immediately jotted down Porchester Square on my London shopping list after seeing it featured in her August Favourites. I absolutely love the colour, especially as my focus has increasingly shifted to office-friendly cremes. I'll always be partial to my glitters, brights, pastels and blues/greens/purples, but sometimes you just need an excellent safe bet with a more conservative environment in mind. Even if I didn't have to worry about whether my nail polish is adhering to a corporate dress code, I'd still enjoy wearing Porchester Square. It's a pitch perfect, elegant and feminine light mushroom with slight purple tones. I love that it's one of those chameleonic shades that leans more sandy beige or cloudy grey or hazy lilac depending on the light. The formulation is also stunning — ultra smooth, buttery, a true one coater with impressive wear time.

Jo Malone Orange Blossom Cologne
Already raved about here, so I'll keep it short. I think this is my favourite of my recent perfume acquisitions. I'm kind of wondering whether I should have heeded to the sales assistant's advice and purchased the bigger bottle. A friend complimented me on this fragrance while we were having dinner out, which only provided more positive reinforcement. What can I say ... it's a crowd-pleaser.

KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 06
Another product I've already written about before, this truly has set in motion a second wave of enthusiasm for cream eyeshadows (ideally in pencil form). What I love most about the KIKO is that not only is it an effortless all-over lid colour, but I've found that it works just as well on the lower lashline. If anything, I've been preferring to use it that way. It stays on longer than regular pencil eyeliners, it's richly metallic but still daytime-friendly and not too dark, and it's just so quick and easy to swipe on while in a rush.

l-r: Face of Australia Budge Proof Eyeshadow in Bronze Sphinx, KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 06

l-r: Becca Gilt, Essence Pas des Copper, Maybelline Bad to the Bronze, Face of Australia Bronze Sphinx, Benefit Busy Signal

Face of Australia Budge Proof Eyeshadow in Bronze Sphinx
Undoubtedly one of my favourite recent discoveries, Bronze Sphinx is one of those unanticipated, lucky finds. I was casually browsing Big W and came across the Face of Australia stand, where they had a blanket $3 off the entire range. I'd heard about the new Budge Proof Eyeshadows (evidently inspired by Maybelline Color Tattoos) from local bloggers, but I hadn't seen them in person at Priceline or anywhere else. I was interested in Tip Top Taupe as well (which reminded me so much of a toned down Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Illusoire), but ultimately settled for just Bronze Sphinx, as I rationalised I'd get infinitely more wear out of it. Tip Top Taupe looked a bit too cool and grey, which I've found isn't the best with my skin tone. Bronze Sphinx, on the other hand, is just what I'm after in a cream eyeshadow.

Compared to similar shades, Becca Eye Tint in Gilt is closer to a warmer version of Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow/Liner in Busy Signal, with more gold shimmer but a difficult texture to work with (slides around, very patchy, a struggle to get even coverage). Essence Eye Soufflé in Pas des Copper (tragically limited edition) is lighter than Bronze Sphinx, with a touch more of a silvery overlay. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze is cooler, more of an intensely metallic, medium frosty brown. Benefit Busy Signal is the darkest, a rich chocolate brown with fine gold shimmer. It's very pigmented and the tiniest amount goes a long way. Face of Australia Bronze Sphinx has more of a copper (red/orange) tone, and isn't as silvery as Pas des Copper or Bad to the Bronze, or with as much gold shimmer as Gilt or Busy Signal. Equally easy to apply with fingers or a brush, it's smooth, emollient, and not gritty or patchy in any way. Building up pigmentation in thin layers is a breeze. A bargain at $8.95, this is well on its way to being a much-loved staple.